Danzo Hokage

Kankuro Vs Konohamaru Sarutobi

Chapter 9: Kankuro Vs Konohamaru Sarutobi.

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AN: This covers the battle between Kankuro and Konohamaru Sarutobi that was taking place last chapter. So timeline-wise this is set around the time Naruto is taken to Root for training and the time Kakashi returns and is questioned by his team. This is also the last of the preliminary fights. The next chapter will cover Naruto's Root training, at least the start of his training and team seven's own training over the four weeks between this and the start of the last phase of the exams. Passed that I haven't made up my mind on what I'll be doing story-wise. So any ideas feel free to post them down below. 

AN2: Seeing as Naruto is beloved by the village in this timeline I wanted a replacement so Konohamaru Sarutobi is this timeline Naruto. I don't recall if the show ever told us who his father was so possible names for him would be welcomed. He'll be a fairly small part but he'll clearly show up so it needs doing.

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Battle Arena.

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When the last names were finally shown to the Chunin hopefuls all eyes at once turned to the grandson of the treacherous Hiruzen Sarutobi. While a fair few of the leaf Genin did show him looks of utter contempt and loathing as he passed them by he never once seemed to notice nor care. His eyes were locked onto the form of Kankuro who was, in turn, also eyeing his every move. It wasn't long before both participants could be seen standing in the center of the battle arena awaiting the start of their match. As always the proctor ensured that both of them understood the rules and once done had started the match before jumping away to the relative safety of the balcony, after all besides calling the match or interfering when it was obvious that a participant had won their fight he was simply not needed on the field. Kankuro at once unwrapped the sizeable bundle on his back that revealed the form of a massive wooden puppet that he at once sent in to attack the grandson of one of the leaves most despised shinobi. Konohamaru, in turn, jumped back and unleashed a powerful earth-based jutsu. The ground soon becoming a maze of earthen spikes that slowed the puppet's overall speed and limited its mobility. However, Kankuro didn't seem at all fazed by the development as he moved the puppet masterfully through the maze of spikes or simply smashed through the smaller ones effortlessly. It was a true testament to the boy's skills, doubly so when considering his age.

Seeing this Konohamaru pulled out his bo-staff and started to engage. The speed of the attacks had made blocking a difficult task in its own right and a fair few managed to make contact. With each hit to his arms and legs, he could feel himself start to slow. But he had to prove that his clan was worthy of respect and praise once again. He had to restore the honor of the Sarutobi clan and that task started by winning this match and advancing to the last phase of the Chunin Exams. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to prove to the village that he was anybody besides the grandson of a traitor. He had always hated the looks of hate and contempt that were always being sent his way. It wasn't his fault that his grandfather was a power-hungry man who had nearly started a civil war. It wasn't his fault that his father was a disgraced shinobi that made their clan the butt to many a joke. No, he was going to beat this wannabe puppeteer or he would die trying.

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Meanwhile, in the Genin observation balcony, Kakashi appeared in a cloud of smoke and after talking with his Genin team for a time sat back and enjoyed the fight down below.  Konohamaru had to admit that Kankuro was skilled but even so, he still had some fight left in him. Still, the fight had been very insightful. Kankuro was clearly an up and coming puppeteer. But that was the boy's flaw. He was still developing his skills as a shinobi and as such had left many small openings that he could use to exploit the boy's relative inexperience. All he needed to do was set the boy up to do just that. With that thought in mind, he soon released a set of kunai all tipped in explosive tags. As one would expect Kankuro effortlessly dodged the attacks or at least he thought he did. When the boy was in place Konohamaru ran though a somewhat long set of hand signs before calling out.

"Earth Style: Earthen Embrace: Konohamaru yelled out before the puppet was crushed under the immense weight of the earth atop it. In seconds the proctor soon called the match and officially ended the second phase of the Chunin Exams. When all was said and done Sunagakure had only one Genin left while Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure having lost all their participants in the first two rounds of the exams. It was clear who was the likely winner and loser and that fact made the leaf Genin smile.

"I expected a better showing". Sakura said as she walked outside the tower. Sasuke said nothing as he thought about the fights. He felt fairly confident in his ability to win should he have to face any of the winners save one. Naruto himself. He was a skilled shinobi no doubt but his sunkissed teammate was on a whole other level. With his sudden disappearance and Kakashi's utter refusal to say anything on the matter, he was left to only guess at what had happened. He had won his fight, quite soundly at that but then he was taken away by ANBU and that was the last he or Sakura had seen of the boy. Kakashi had said they would see him again but that was still four weeks off. This would easily be the longest the two boys would be apart and Sasuke couldn't help but feel a great level of sadness at that thought. Still, he was a ninja and so set his mind to the task at hand. Training for the next phase of the exams and hopefully be able to fight his best friend, Naruto.